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Dick LeBeau Marks 50th Season In NFL

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Nov 20, 2008 10:20 pm US/Eastern

Dick LeBeau Marks 50th Season In NFL

Reporting
Bob Pompeani
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Steelers Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau is celebrating his 50th year in the NFL and no one could be happier about that than Troy Polamalu who sees him as role model.

LeBeau was honored at the game against the Bengals at Heinz Field.
LeBeau played in the NFL for 14 straight years and didn't miss a game. He had 62 career interceptions.

In the locker room, LeBeau is well-respected and looked at like a father figure by most players.

LeBeau began his career as a cornerback for the Detroit Lions. Troy Polamalu enjoys hearing stories about LeBeau's early career.

"Just [be]cause he was a Detroit Lion and Motown was getting really big, so he got to know a lot of the guys," Polamalu said. "Detroit was the spot a few years ago."

Fifty years later, LeBeau is the defensive coordinator of the No. 1 defense in the NFL.

"First, you've really got to be blessed with a football body, but you also have … need to have a lot of mental strength," says Polamalu.

In addition to being amazed by his longevity, every player on the Steeler defense has developed a strong bond with Dick LeBeau.

"To be able to play for somebody that you authentically love, and who's like a real father figure – he's a real father figure to everybody on the defense is a huge blessing," according to Troy. "Not very many players can have a coach like him that has the history and has the personality that he has."

And after all these years of coaching, he still brings out the best in the elite athletes that makeup the Steeler defense.

"He produces something. He doesn't come up with these crazy schemes that's just like, 'Oh, wow. But there's holes over here,'" explains Troy. "He really has everything covered. He realizes there's a weakness in a defense and he has another defense that can counter that."

As far as Troy is concerned, he's still trying to figure out what keeps Coach LeBeau looking so young.

"He's still jogging out there – doing pushups and all this stuff you know," he said. "It's that good French blood that he has."

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